1
At the turn of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the army and laid waste the land of the children of Ammon. Then he came and besieged Rabbah, while David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck Rabbah and overthrew it.
2
And David took the crown of their king from off his head; and it was found to weigh a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone. And it was set upon David’s head. He also carried away very much spoil from the city.
3
And he brought out the people that were in it, and set them to labor with saws, with iron picks, and with axes. Thus David dealt with all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem.
4
After this there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; and at that time Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai, one of the sons of the giant, and they were subdued.
5
And there was again war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam.
6
And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were six on each hand and six on each foot, twenty-four in all; he also was born to the giant.
7
And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.
8
These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
⚔️👑🛕 Summary of 1 Chronicles 20 – The Conquest of Rabbah and Victory over the Giant’s Sons
1 Chronicles 20 continues the account of David’s military victories and those of his men, including the capture of Rabbah, the city of the Ammonites, and the defeat of the giant’s descendants from Gath. Though this chapter is brief, its meaning is great: the Lord continued to give Israel victory, and the fearsome giants were brought low by Israel’s warriors, not by David alone.
📌 1. Rabbah Is Taken and Overthrown (verses 1–3)
➡️ In the season of war, Joab besieged Rabbah, the capital of the Ammonites, while David stayed in Jerusalem
➡️ After Rabbah was nearly fallen, David came to receive the city’s surrender
➡️ The golden crown of the king of Ammon was taken and placed on David’s head — it weighed a talent of gold (about 34 kg), set with a precious stone
➡️ The people of the city were brought out for forced labor, and all the cities of Ammon were subdued
🎯 The Lord exalts His people above the nations — though the enemy may seem strong, the Lord can bring them down.
📌 2. The Giant’s Descendants from Gath Are Defeated (verses 4–8)
➡️ In a series of battles with the Philistines, several descendants of the giant from Gath appeared again
➡️ Yet they were not able to overcome Israel’s army, and all were slain:
- Sippai was killed by Sibbecai the Hushathite
- Lahmi, the brother of Goliath, was killed by Elhanan
- A giant with six fingers on each hand and foot was killed by Jonathan, David’s nephew
🎯 Victory over giants was not David’s alone — faithful warriors were also used by the Lord to overcome great enemies.
📖 Main Lessons
- The Lord remains with His people in both spiritual and earthly battles
- Success does not come only through the chief leader — the next generation must also be trained for battle
- Even the greatest enemy can be overcome when God’s people act in faith
- The strong cities of this world are no match for the power of God at work in His people
- Victory must be joined with honor toward God and right ordering of the people
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 1 John 5:4
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.”
➡️ The warriors of Israel represent God’s people who are able to overcome the “giants” of the world
📖 2 Timothy 2:3
“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
➡️ The soldiers of Israel reflect the faithfulness and steadfastness of Christ’s disciples
📖 Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
➡️ Even the giant with six fingers was defeated — nothing is impossible for the one who believes
📖 Hebrews 11:33–34
“Who through faith subdued kingdoms, quenched the violence of fire, and escaped the edge of the sword.”
➡️ David’s warriors are examples of faith and courage worthy to be followed
🕊️ “Joab fought against Rabbah and took it.” – 1 Chronicles 20:1
🕊️ “The golden crown was set upon David’s head.” – 1 Chronicles 20:2
🕊️ “The sons of the giant… fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.” – 1 Chronicles 20:8
🕊️ “And he fell by the hand of Jonathan, the son of Shimea, David’s brother.” – 1 Chronicles 20:7
